In a significant incident on Saturday, a metro bus traveling from Islamabad to Rawalpindi caught fire near the Sixth Road station, resulting in the complete destruction of the vehicle and a temporary halt in metro bus services along that route.
Emergency response teams promptly arrived at the scene, initiating firefighting operations to control the blaze while ensuring the safety of all passengers. The driver had stopped the bus at the station and began evacuation procedures immediately, which helped prevent any casualties.
Eyewitnesses reported that some passengers had to break windows to escape as smoke and flames rapidly engulfed the bus. Despite the intensity of the fire, all passengers were evacuated safely, and no injuries were reported.
Rescue officials deployed at least four emergency vehicles and over a dozen personnel to manage the situation. The fire was eventually brought under control after persistent efforts, although strong winds contributed to the rapid spread and reignition of the flames, which ultimately gutted the bus.
Preliminary investigations suggest that a short circuit in the bus engine may have triggered the fire, but a detailed inquiry will determine the exact cause. Meanwhile, metro bus authorities suspended operations on the affected section of the corridor to conduct safety inspections and clear the site.
Services are expected to resume once the track is declared safe. Officials described the event as a close call for the twin-city transport system, emphasizing that the swift evacuation and emergency response prevented any loss of life.
